The big plays:
Oceanside senior Jerry Whittaker scores first-quarter touchdowns on a 14-yard run and 19-yard reception. In the third quarter, as El Camino mounts a comeback, Whittaker tackles El Camino quarterback Colin Jones along the sideline at the Pirates' 6, knocking him out of the game with a knee injury.

Crosstown rivalry:
El Camino still leads the series 19-16, but Oceanside's victory on its home field gives the Pirates eight wins in the last nine meetings.

It hurts to lose:
Exemplifying the pride the players take in the rivalry, El Camino's Dominick Markham left the field in tears. “Seniors, we die for this game. We fell eight points short. There's nothing we can do.”

And the winners:
Molesi on what it means to win the game: “We've got family and friends on that other team. And now we've got bragging rights for a whole year.”

Hair raising:
It's doubtful you'll find two teams with more players sporting long hair. El Camino linebacker J.J. Taele and Oceanside linebacker T.J. Sunai, who both wear No. 43, sport their hair so long it blocks the number on the back of their jerseys.

Hair, Take II:
Oceanside running back Rene Siluano, whose mane almost covers his number, on the tradition among Samoans: “It's a pride thing. Hopefully, it's intimidating.”

Hair, Take III:
Siluano on sporting slightly shorter locks than his teammate, Sunai: “Come see me next week. I'll use some Head and Shoulders.”

Lots of laundry:
Be it the rivalry or early-season play, both teams kept the officials busy. El Camino was penalized 14 times for 107 yards. Oceanside was whistled 11 times for 85.

An El Camino assistant coach after one of numerous illegal procedures against the Wildcats wide receivers: “Get set, (darn) it. Get set. How hard is it?”

Former Oceanside High, San Diego State, Green Bay Packers and Chargers cornerback Willie Buchanon after an El Camino defensive back dropped a potential shoe-top interception: “A good DB would have had that.”

Too much lip?
Jones (who finished 8-of-14 155 yards and 1 touchdown despite a heavy rush) on being taken out by Whittaker: “He dropped to his knees (and knocked him down). That's football.”

He wasn't impressed by what he says Whittaker said to him after the play. According to Jones, Whittaker said, “Stay down, boy. You don't mean nothing.” Whittaker turned to the El Camino stands and pounded his chest after the play.

The other side:
Whittaker said he didn't say anything to Jones. “It was just in the heat of the moment,” Whittaker said. “I tried to make the tackle to help my team. I wasn't trying to knock him out. I didn't say anything. I was just celebrating with my team.”